AdNews, our sister publication, looks at the latest Christmas advertising campaigns. Here, editor Rosie Baker captures a tongue-in-check dig from M&S.
Marks & Spencer, the British retailer which has long been rumoured to be opening stores in Australia, has made a dig at Australia in its 2016 Christmas ad.
The ad shows Santa Claus preparing for his Christmas Day shift and his wife Mrs Claus making him a snack for the road/sky and a Thermos of tea.
In the already popular British festive ad Mrs Claus is heard reminding her husband "Don't forget Australia," as he sets off on his Christmas Eve mission to deliver gifts around the world.
"Easily done," Santa mutters as his sleigh takes off, giving Australia a not so subtle dig and implying Father Christmas may have almost forgotten us Down Under in previous years.
He better not forget Australia, that's for sure. Earlier this year M&S opened a dedicated online store for Australia in response to rising demand for its clothing ranges.
The ad then shows Mrs Claus setting off on her own James Bond-style mission delivering 'save the day' presents via helicopter in response to a boy's Christmas letter sent directly to her.
The ad 'With love from Mrs Claus' aired over the weekend in the UK and Mrs Claus has also taken over the retailer's social channels. The three-minute film has already been viewed 4 million times on YouTube.
M&S is getting behind Mrs Claus as a style icon, using the character to push its seasonal fashion ranges as well as festive recipes.
“Christmas is a team effort,” Mrs Claus explains on the retailer’s website. “I take on trickier projects because they suit me – I’m calm but determined. Santa’s an eggnog-half-full kind of guy; his jolliness is perfect for the big gestures.”
The track from the ad ‘With Love’ by Rachel Portman can be downloaded on iTunes.